At Bedford Academy we believe that for our students to gain the greatest benefits from their education, it is vital that they attend regularly. Our students should be on time, every day the Academy opens, unless the reason for absence is absolutely unavoidable. It is very important that families recognise their responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly and on time. 98% attendance is a realistic and achievable target for all students that allows for the occasional emergency or sickness absence.

You may think that 90% in an exam is great, but for attendance it is not very good at all:

• 90% attendance = ½ a day a week missed
• 90% attendance = 4 weeks missed every year
• 90% attendance = ½ a school year missed every 5 years.

For every 17 missed days a year = 1 GCSE grade drop in achievement; this could be the difference between a 5 and a 4 grade in Maths or English!

Parent/Carer Responsibility

Only let your son/daughter stay at home if they are genuinely ill. If your son/daughter is going to be absent please contact the Academy before 8.45am on 01234 301500 ext. 143 or email [email protected], to advise us of the reason for absence and when you expect them to return to school.

Make appointments outside of Academy hours and ensure that holidays are taken in Academy holidays only, never in term time. A Fixed Penalty Notice may be issued to parents if students take holiday during term time.

Talk to your son/daughter about the Academy and how they feel about it. They are more likely to attend and enjoy it if they feel supported and listened to.

What to do if there is a problem with your son/daughter’s attendance

• Talk calmly to your son/daughter and listen to the explanation. Contact their Tutor or their Headof Year to address the reason for their non-attendance.
• Your son/daughter’s welfare is important to us. We can help you resolve issues and can offer support for you and your child. You are not alone.
• Be supportive to your child in the run up to tests and be aware of coursework deadlines.
• Help your child catch up with missed work. A missed day should not mean missed work.

A copy of the Bedford Academy Attendance Policy can be downloaded by following the link below:

Punctuality

The Academy expects all students to arrive punctually and be ready to commence learning at 8.25am each day. The doors to the Academy are opened at 8.15am each day and any student who arrives after 8.30am will be recorded as late.

Students must arrive to lessons within 5 minutes. Lateness to lessons disrupts the flow of a lesson, the learning of the student and that of other students; punctuality is a life skill and one that is always requested in future employer references.

If a student is late to school or lessons more than twice in a week, without a note that is timed, dated and signed by a member of staff, they will receive a detention